Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises.”And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.” Hebrews 2:11-13
Dear Jesus, there are few forces on the face of the earth as damaging as toxic shame. It’s a pillaging thief—one which robs its targets of dignity, freedom and joy. It’s a debilitating poison which saps its victims of life and hope. I’m no stranger to shame, for I’ve thought, said and done many things for which I am truly and appropriately ashamed. But I’ve also been cruelly shamed and I’ve shamed people I dearly love.
So this morning as I hear you tell me in this Scripture that you’ve not ashamed of me—that you’re not ashamed to call me your brother, it humbles and gladdens me like nothing else. There is no other savior like you, no not one.
Jesus, you’re the only answer for the paralyzing power of our shame. How I praise you for doing everything necessary to deal with the ways we’ve been both agents and a victims of sin—sin which has led to multiple layers of shame. You’re the only one who can make us holy—the only one who has set us apart for the redeeming and restoring purposes of Abba, Father.
In fact, we only dare cry out, “Abba, Father,” because you first cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1). You took the full guilt and the real shame of our sin on the cross. I really do believe this, but I really need to experience it more fully.
And now you sing to us—you serenade us with good news of the Father’s glory and grace. You declare his praises to our hearts every time we hear the gospel… every time we gather to worship God… every time we take the bread and cup of holy communion… every time we read the Scriptures… every time we listen to your voice in creation proclaiming the majesty and mercy of God. We are profoundly grateful.
Jesus, you are not ashamed of us. You are not ashamed of me. You consider us a gift given to you by our Father. This is the theology I defend… make it the doxology in which I delight. So very Amen, I pray, in your most compassionate and persistent name..